Verdi- Ballet Music from Don Carlos: "La Peregrina" (1867)

Verdi's ballet for Don Carlos is rarely performed today. Directors find it hard to fit into this massive opera; I was very disappointed to learn that the recent production of the French Don Carlos at the Met left out the ballet. As for the music itself, the orchestration is a bit awkward and bumbling in a few places with ill-placed doublings, and a bit too much going on (I reference 5:22). But alas, before Tchaikovsky, ballets were seldom known for their ORCHESTRAL treatment. And, like all things Verdi, it is a treasure-trove of hidden melodies. The clarinet solo will easily stick with you.
The story has not survived; we can only ascertain that it had something to do with the Spanish pearl of the same name: "La Peregrina," which was once owned by Queen Mary I of England, now the property of the highly esteemed late Elizabeth Taylor. It is jovial in nature, as we can ascertain from the music. The chorale hymn in the brass reminds the audience of the opera's royal nature as a whole.

I have made this video to showcase the Claudio Abbado recording with the La Scala orchestra, circa 1985.

Видео Verdi- Ballet Music from Don Carlos: "La Peregrina" (1867) канала Simon Kawasaki